- This week’s WWE Classics match was chosen by WWE agent Dean Malenko. He picked his WCW Cruiserweight Title match against Rey Mysterio from WCW Great American Bash 1996. Malenko told WWE.com:

“That was a special night for me because Rey was an opponent I always wanted to work against in the ring. I asked the offices of WCW if we could bring him in for a shot at my Cruiserweight Championship, because it was a match that I anticipated having a lot of fun with. I love when two styles clash — Rey being a lucha libre style performer and a very impactful, aerially talented guy, and myself being more of a mat technician. What really stands out about that night was the guys in the back being really disappointed seeing Rey. They thought he was really small and very young-looking, which we kind of laugh at now. But it ended up being one of the only times in 20-some odd years of being in the business that I walked back in the dressing room and my peers stood on their feet applauding this guy’s ability and what he did that night. It was a really neat scene for me to see and it definitely welcomed Rey into the fold of WCW. It was a great moment and one that I cherish very highly.”

“Of course, you want to go out every night and have the best match possible — for the show and for yourself. But that match definitely went way over my expectations. It was a great night for myself, a great night for Rey and a great night for fans out there that never got to see a guy like Rey Mysterio. He’s very special. There’s nobody like him and never will be.”

– WWE Legend Harley Race was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on January 27th in Springfield, MO.